Therapeutic stuffed animal

ABSTRACT

The therapeutic stuffed animal of the present invention includes a stuffed animal at least partially stuffed with herbs, at least one pocket defined within the stuffed animal, and at least one reusable gel pack disposed within each pocket. The herb-stuffed animal also includes illuminated eyes, which are energized by a battery recharged by a solar cell positioned on an exterior surface of the stuffed animal. The stuffed animal may be positioned around a user&#39;s head, neck, shoulders or upon any other desired area of a user&#39;s body to provide relief to the user. The herbs in the stuffed animal emit vapors that provide various therapeutic benefits to a user. The gel pack may be cooled or warmed before insertion in the pocket to cool or warm a desired area of a user&#39;s body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/518,336, filed Nov. 10, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to therapeutic devices. More specifically, the invention is a therapeutic stuffed animal filled with herbs and an ice or heat pack gel insert used for physical therapy.

2. Description of the Related Art

The related art of interest describes various stuffed toys and aromatherapy pillows, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an herb stuffed heating and cooling stuffed animal that can be placed around the head, neck or shoulder of a patient for relieving physical pain. The relevant art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,223 issued on Dec. 3, 1991, to David A. Colosante describes microwave oven reheatable toys such as a doll, a wearable toy or a puppet having a therapeutic hot or cold pack placed inside the article. The reheatable composition can be water and/or glycerin mixed with compounds such as aluminum nitrate, calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, and the like. The toys are distinguishable for requiring aqueous or glycerin based composition for the cold or hot pack.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,829 issued on Sep. 22, 1987, to Ruth E. Frye describes a therapeutic stuffed toy such as a human or animal figure., e.g., teddy bear, covered with a machine washable acrylic plush fabric stuffed with polyester or a polyurethane foam and including a hermetically sealed envelope or container containing a liquid such as propylene glycol or solid particulate material such as table salt or metallic spheres to form a heat sink. The device is distinguishable for requiring a polyester or polyurethane foam filling and envelopes containing aqueous solutions.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,300,105 issued on Apr. 5, 1994, and 5,989,286 issued on Nov. 23, 1999, to Byron C. Owens describes a microwaveable or cooled therapeutic polyethylene covered pad in a teddy bear's vest or within the bear containing an aqueous solution or a proprietary formula and a sponge which is evacuated before sealing. The pad is distinguishable for requiring an aqueous solution and a sponge.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,695 B1 issued on Dec. 4, 2001, to George A. Weiner describes a heated stuffed animal utilized for therapy includes a stuffed dog containing an electric heater. The device is distinguishable for being limited to an electric heated stuffed animal.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,558,278 issued on Oct. 20, 1925, to Elma Phillips describes a combined toy and heating device such as a dog, cat, teddy bear and the like comprising a body formed with an embedded aluminum hot water bottle heated by a battery with a switch. The toy is distinguishable for being limited to heating by an embedded hot water bottle.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0022431 A1 published on Feb. 21, 2002, for Joanne Schneider describes a children's stuffed bear containing valuables in a container placed in a cavity of the bear. The toy is distinguishable for being limited to a valuables storage container kept inside the toy.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,273 issued on Jun. 21, 1988, to Fred B. Woods describes a toy with lightable eyes comprising a doll or animal toy having a pair of eyes and including two flashlight bulbs mounted within the eyes and connected to batteries inside the body and having an external belly switch. The toy is distinguishable for being limited to illuminated eyes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,032 issued on Nov. 24, 1970, to Charles C. Spencer, Jr. describes a rectangular flexible plastic therapy package having a dry heating or cooling chemical in one compartment and a liquid or a gel in a separate compartment. When the components of the two compartments are allowed to mix, the components react to cause a thermal or refrigerating chemical reaction. Dry ammonium nitrate with either urea, iron filings or calcium chloride are present in one dry compartment and a flowable gel such as water or a gel are in the other compartment. The therapy package is distinguishable for lacking herbs and requiring chemical reactions between dry and wet composition s.

U.S. Design Pat. No. 400,664 (dog) issued on Nov. 3, 1998; 401,800 (cat) issued on Dec. 1, 1998; 408,198 (cow) issued on Apr. 20, 1999; 417,356 (lizard) issued on Dec. 17, 1999; 420,237 (cat) issued on Feb. 8, 2000; 430,767 (monkey) issued on Sep. 12, 2000; and 434,261 (dog) issued on Nov. 28, 2000, to Lauren Rosenstadt et al. describe various aromatherapy pillows in animal form. The animal toys are distinguishable for being limited only to aromatic stuffed toys without identification of the aroma causing ingredients.

U.S. Design Pat. No. 426,414 (dogs) issued on Jun. 13, 2000; 427,473 (donkeys) issued on Jul. 4, 2000; 429,591 (lions) issued on Aug. 22, 2000, and 430,442 (birds) issued on Sep. 5, 2000, to Harald Reithmeier describe identical heads connected by a stuffed and zippered body for use as a neck rest. The neck rests are distinguishable for failing to indicate any aromatic quality.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,220 B1 issued on Feb. 5, 2002, to Rebecca Rose et al. describes compositions containing chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, inter alia, to animals to suppress the degradation of connective tissue. Ginger is described as helpful. The compositions are distinguishable for requiring chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0187718 A1 published on Dec. 12, 2002, describes a kapok or polyester stuffed and fur covered toy banana or duck having catnip inside for cats. A sound-producing device energized by battery inside is contemplated. The toys are distinguishable for requiring kapok or polyester covers and catnip inside.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0198580 published on Dec. 26, 2002, describes a flannel covered therapeutic wrap for the neck or shoulders that can either be heated or cooled containing narrow channels of Basmati rice and herbs such as chamomile and lavender. The wrap is distinguishable for requiring Basmati rice.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0068955 A1 published on Apr. 10, 2003, describes a scent emitting soft child's toy such as a stuffed bear having a scent material in its abdomen in a case and covered by a cap with openings. No example of a suitable scent material is described. The toy is distinguishable for lacking a specific scent material.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,346,176 issued on Jul. 13, 1920, to Alden.

R. Chambers describes a rubber hot water bottle in the form of a human figure with the head removable as a cap. The bottle is distinguishable for requiring hot water and lacking any suggestion for scenting.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,896,663 issued on Feb. 7, 1933, to William O. Collins describes an electrically heated toy doll by house current. The doll is distinguishable for being limited to electrical heating.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,647,195 issued on Jul. 28, 1953, to Neva I. Broyles describes a sleeper toy doll comprising a stuffed animal toy made of either fabric or plastic and filled with cotton or sponge rubber. The eyes are energized by either a battery or a cable having a thermostat for connection to house current. The doll is distinguishable for requiring electrical power for illuminating the eyes.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,668 issued on Nov. 29, 1960, to Frances Hayes describes a slumber pillow in the shape of a girl with only a head and arms and filled with an unknown material. The pillow is distinguishable for lacking herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,808,418 issued on Apr. 30, 1974, to Albert C. Conard et al. describes a stuffed teddy bear with light flashing eyes comprising fluorescent, phosphorescent or neon (preferred). The illumination is provided by a piezoelectric crystal under a pressure block for activation. The toy is distinguishable for requiring a piezoelectric crystal to illuminate the eyes and lacking any herbal scent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,311 issued on Jul. 12, 1988, to Sam E. Francis, Jr. describes a microwavable or cold pack gel thermal compress package comprising an envelope fabricated from a laminate of synthetic resins and containing an aqueous gel. The laminate comprises an inner polyethylene film and an outer film of either nylon or nylon sclair. Other envelope compositions can have an inner layer of polyethylene or polyurethane and an outer layer of paper or a nylon fabric. The envelope contains a liquid, paste or gel comprising Carbopol™, propylene glycol, a color dye, formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, and water. The gel pack composition is distinguishable for requiring water, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, and sodium hydroxide, and lacking any herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,110 issued on May 20, 1980, to Helen E. Smit et al. describes a decorative personal electric heating appliance in the form of a stuffed animal, doll and the like. An internal bladder has an electric immersion heater for heating the internal liquid. A temperature indicator is provided externally. A cold medium can be substituted. The stuffed animal is distinguishable for lacking herbs and requiring a heating appliance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,820 issued on Sep. 20, 1983, to John W. Romaine describes a cold compress comprising a rectangular flexible envelope containing a coagulated gel that maintains its properties down to below freezing temperatures. A thin insulator pad is attached to one surface of the gel pad. The pad is distinguishable for being limited to cold use and lacking any herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,445 issued on Dec. 22, 1987, to Charles B. Templeton describes a warmed animal toy such as a teddy bear having a removable internal bladder made of many sealed compartments for adding a fluid such as water or glycerol. The toy is distinguishable for requiring a removable internal bladder containing water or glycerol and the lack of any herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,049 issued on Oct. 11, 1988, to Therese H. Perron describes a head support for a seated person comprising a pair of elongated, stuffed fabric cushions in the form of a pair of stuffed animal heads, e.g., cat, at each end of a neck strap. The support can have a wind-up or pressure actuated music device. The head support is distinguishable for lacking herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,676 issued on Sep. 4, 1990, to Martin D. Rankin describes an electrically heated and stuffed teddy bear toy having a concentrated heat dissipation material such as a mass of tangled copper wires inside heated by a battery. The toy is distinguishable for lacking any herbs and requiring a heat source.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,923 issued on Dec. 25, 1990, to Toshio Tanaka describes a stuffed toy, e.g., panda bear, having a heater and phase changing heat storage substance inside and controlled by an internal thermostat. Anhydrous sodium acetate or polyethylene glycol is heated by an external electrical source. The toy is distinguishable for lacking herbs and requiring the heating of specific substances and an internal thermostat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,598 issued on Sep. 24, 1991, to Dalton R. Tucker describes a capped figure conforming water bladder permanently mounted inside a teddy bear having a neck, arms and legs. The bladder is distinguishable because the present invention does not require a bladder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,150 issued on Oct. 6, 1998, to Byron C. Owens describes a therapeutic pad for heating and cooling and containing a liquid. The pad has a liquid absorbent to prevent liquid leakage. The pad is distinguishable for lacking any herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,080 issued on Nov. 24, 1998, to Mary Der Ovanesian describes a flexible hot or cold applicator

-   -   device having an envelope formed from two double walled sheets.         Each sheet contains a freezing gel and the space between the         sheets contains a second high thermal capacity gel. The device         is distinguishable for requiring a specific gel separating         structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,145 issued on Dec. 1, 1998, to N. Keith Brink describes a reusable hot/cold three-component temperature pack comprising an outer bag of a polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; a gel of water, propylene glycol and a cross-linked homopolymer of acrylic acid; and one or more temperature cells. The pack is distinguishable for lacking any herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,152 issued on Dec. 7, 1999, to Rachel J. Wilson describes a sleep promoting and comforting device for infants comprising a structure shaped like a teddy bear having arms and legs with clips for attachment. Polystyrene pellets are included. The device is distinguishable for requiring polystyrene pellets and lacking herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,659 issued on Feb. 1, 2000, to Michael B. Walters describes a heated stuffed teddy bear having an internal heating element arranged in a serpentine arrangement. The heating system comprises a heating element, a thermostat, a rechargeable battery, and a switch. The stuffed toy is distinguishable for requiring an internal heating system.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,394 issued on Oct. 31, 2000, to John G. Maxim describes a stuffed animal figure with sound and an illuminated face, but lacks any scenting. The device is distinguishable for lacking herbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,764 B1 issued on Aug. 13, 2002, to Nancylon E. Peters describes a herbal-scented pillow or a polyester fiber stuffed animal toy containing one or more small bags having buckwheat hulls or scented with oils. The stuffed toys can be hearts, dogs, cats, seals, sea lions, penguins or whales. The toys are distinguishable for failing to describe suitable oil scents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,111 issued on Apr. 13, 1982, to William A. Edwards describes a freezing gel structure comprising a plurality of adjacent tubes secured in an edgewise arrangement and separately filled with a freezing gel for cooling bottles. The device is distinguishable for being limited to cooling articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,005 issued on May 24, 1994, to Reuven Dobry describes particulate heating/cooling agents comprising solid carriers such as alumina containing microwave responsive substances such as a mixture of glycerol and water which are liquid at a predetermined higher temperature and serve as sources of dry heat or moist heat. They also serve as sources of cold, when pre-chilled in a freezer. The device is distinguishable for requiring a particulate alumina carrier.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, herb stuffed animals including an ice/heat pack solving the aforementioned problems are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The therapeutic stuffed animal of the present invention includes a stuffed animal at least partially stuffed with herbs, at least one pocket defined within the stuffed animal, and at least one reusable gel pack disposed within each pocket. The herb-stuffed animal also includes illuminated eyes, which are energized by batteries recharged by a solar cell positioned on an exterior surface of the stuffed animal. The stuffed animal may be positioned around a user's head, neck, shoulders or upon any other desired area of a user's body to provide relief to the user. The herbs in the stuffed animal emit vapors that provide various therapeutic benefits to a user. The gel pack may be cooled or warmed before insertion in the pocket to cool or warm a desired area of a user's body.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a stuffed animal containing therapeutic herbs for heating or cooling therapy according to the present invention.

It is another object of the invention to provide an herb stuffed animal for heating or cooling therapy around the user's head, neck or shoulders.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an environmental, perspective, front view of a therapeutic stuffed animal configured in the shape of a cat according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an environmental, perspective, rear view of a therapeutic stuffed animal configured in the shape of a cat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a therapeutic stuffed animal according to the present invention, with one pocket flap folded open and the body partially broken away to show details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stuffed striped lizard according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of a stuffed dragon according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stuffed monkey according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stuffed dog according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is related to a therapeutic stuffed animal, generally designated as 10 in the drawings. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the therapeutic stuffed animal 10 may be positioned over a user's head, neck, shoulders or upon any other desired area of a user's body to provide relief to the user.

As is shown more clearly in FIG. 1B, the therapeutic stuffed animal 10 includes a stuffed animal 12 having a head 14, a trunk 16, and legs 18 extending from the trunk 16. The stuffed animal 12 may further include a tail 20, and/or other appendages associated with an animal. The stuffed animal 12 may also include illuminated eyes 19 which are energized by batteries recharged by a solar cell that is positioned on an exterior surface of the stuffed animal 12. It will be understood, however, that the stuffed animal 12 can be configured to resemble any kind of animal.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the stuffed animal 12 is at least partially stuffed with herbs 26. The stuffed animal 12 further includes at least one pocket 22 defined within the stuffed animal 12 and at least one reusable gel pack 24 disposed within each pocket 22.

The herbs 26 in the stuffed animal 12 emit vapors which provide various therapeutic benefits, including treating muscle spasms, stimulating circulation, breaking down toxins, and simply soothing sore or fatigued body muscles, especially around the neck. The herbs 26 included in the stuffed animal 12 may include cinnamon, chamomile or chamobile, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, spearmint, white willow, yarrow, yellow dock root allspice, mustard seed, juniper berries, black pepper, ginger, and cloves. The herbs 26 may be either in an aggregate or powdered form. For a relaxant and pain reliever, allspice is preferred. Mustard seed is useful for stimulating blood circulation and breaking down toxins. Juniper berries in the dried form are useful for relaxing muscle spasms. Black pepper is useful for stimulating blood circulation to affected areas. Ginger is effective for easing joint pain. Cloves are effective for relieving pain and acting as an external sedative. Mixtures of the above mentioned healing herbs are also within the purview of the instant invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stuffed animal 12 may have a plurality of pockets 22, three being shown in the drawing. One pocket 22 may be disposed in the belly of the animal 12, shown in FIG. 2 with one flap folded open to show a gel pack 24 disposed therein and mating hook and loop fastener strips 25 to fasten the pocket 22 in a closed position. A second pocket 22 may be disposed in the legs with an opening in the belly between the legs secured by a hook and loop closure and that receives a Y-shaped gel pack 24 with the branches being received in the legs and joined to a short stub section that may extend into the belly. A third pocket 22 may be disposed at the base of the tail where the tail joins the trunk of the body, the pocket having a hook and loop closure and receiving a third gel pack 24. Of course, if the species of stuffed animal 12 lacks an elongated tail, the third pocket 22 and gel pack 24 are omitted.

The gel packs 24 may be cooled or warmed before insertion in the pockets 22 to cool or warm a desired area of a user's body and provide therapy. A cooled gel pack 24 may be desirable to provide relief to a person with a fever. A heated gel pack 24 may be desirable to relieve tense or sore muscles. The gel pack can be square-shaped, Y-shaped, or any other suitable shape. Also shown in FIG. 2 are eyes 28 illuminated by batteries (not shown) recharged by solar cells 25. The eyes 28 may be illuminated by light emitting diodes, miniature incandescent bulbs, or any other suitable light source.

The stuffed animal 12 can be made from cotton, polyester, plastic, or any other suitable material.

FIGS. 3-6 depict various exemplary therapeutic stuffed animals 10, the pockets 22 and gel packs 24 being either hidden or omitted for clarity. FIG. 3 depicts the stuffed animal 10 according to the present invention configured as a striped lizard.

FIG. 4 depicts the stuffed animal 10 according to the present invention configured as a dragon.

FIG. 5 depicts the stuffed animal 10 according to the present invention configured as a monkey.

FIG. 6 depicts the stuffed animal 10 according to the present invention configured as puppy.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A therapeutic stuffed animal comprising: a stuffed animal; a quantity of herbs disposed inside said stuffed animal; at least one pocket defined within said stuffed animal; and at least one reusable gel pack disposed within said pocket.
 2. The therapeutic stuffed animal of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal further comprises a trunk, a head, and legs extending from the trunk.
 3. The therapeutic stuffed animal of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal includes a pair of eyes having a light source powered by a rechargeable battery and a solar cell disposed on said stuffed animal for recharging the batteries.
 4. The therapeutic stuffed animal of claim 1, wherein said quantity of herbs includes one or more herbs selected from the group consisting of cinnamon, chamomile, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, spearmint, white willow, yarrow, yellow dock root allspice, mustard seed, juniper berries, black pepper, ginger, and cloves.
 5. The therapeutic stuffed animal of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal has a trunk, said at least one pocket being disposed in said trunk.
 6. The therapeutic stuffed animal of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal has legs, said at least one pocket being disposed in said legs.
 7. The therapeutic stuffed animal of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal has a tail, said at least one pocket being disposed in said tail. 